Control systems for valve actuators, valve actuators and related methods

Abstract

Valve actuators include a control system and at least one human-machine interface device. Human-machine interface devices include at least one wireless input device operable by a user and at least one sensor configured to sense a force applied to the at least one wireless input device by the user. Valve systems may include such valve actuators. Methods of operating a control system of a valve actuator include sensing a force applied to at least one wireless input device and wirelessly transmitting an electronic signal in response to the applied force.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application PCT / US2012 / 065833, filed Nov. 19, 2012, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO 2014 / 077849 A1 on May 22, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to valve actuators, and more particularly, to control systems for valve actuators including a wireless human-machine interface.BACKGROUND[0003]Valve actuators are used to operate valves and are manufactured in numerous shapes, sizes, forms, and have a wide variety of utilities. Valve actuators may be manually driven, electrically driven, operated by fluid pressure in which the shaft is connected directly or indirectly to a fluid operated piston, or other hydraulic systems.[0004]A control system, or at least a portion th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent discloses a valve actuator with a control system that can control the flow through a valve using a wireless input device and a sensor to detect the force applied by the user. The control system detects the force sensed by the sensor and responds accordingly to operate the valve. This technology provides an efficient and user-friendly means to control the flow through valves.

Problems solved by technology

However, a non-contact mechanical connection such as magnetic knobs may still have limitations.

If the distance grows too far, then the sensors will not detect the magnets in the knobs.

Further still, the magnetic sensors that can detect motion only along the well-defined arc limit the functionality of the knobs.

However, such robust springs and detents require the user to exert relatively strong forces on the knobs to move them.

Accordingly, such forcing of the knobs may result in a degree of discomfort after configuring one or more actuators that may each require a significant number of knob movements to complete a configuration of the valve actuator.

Furthermore, the springs and detents in the knobs may fail, thereby allowing the knobs to move by gravity or vibration to some unexpected position, which in turn may place the actuator into some unexpected operating mode.

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